Upton, 34, was known as B.J. , for Bossman Junior, in tribute to his dad's nickname, as he came up with the Rays and played with them from 2004-12, and during his 2013-14 seasons with the Braves.

But he announced going into the 2015 season that he had decided to use his given name, Melvin Upton Jr. At the time, he said that was the name most of his friends and family used for him.

Upton last played in the majors in 2016, spending 2017 dealing with injuries after signing with the Giants after his opening day release by the Blue Jays and going to spring training in 2018 with Cleveland but being released.

During that time he did allow some longtime acquaintances, such as a certain Tampa Bay Times beat writer, to be grandfathered in and continue to refer to him as B.J.